Lashkar warns J&K youth not to join Army

13 July 2002The Asian Age

Srinagar: The Lashkar-e-Tayyaba has warned the people of Kashmir against joining the Indian Army. Those who were recruited by the Army at different places across the state and had earlier been enrolled by it have been asked to desert it or face consequences. A statement, issued by the outlawed outfit appeared in Srinagar English daily Greater Kashmir on Saturday, says the decision to ask the Kashmir youth who have joined the Army to ''come back'' was taken at recently held meeting of its field commanders. The Army this year launched a special drive to recruit Kashmiri youth and so far nearly 2,000 of them have joined. The local police also held on-the-spot recruitment rallies in and outside Srinagar recently. The statement adds that Lashkar commander Abu Umer attended the meeting.